The two-time National Lacrosse League all-star is coming off a tumultuous season with the Edmonton Rush. The Rush made it to the NLL championship game and lost to his former team the Rochester Knighthawks 9-6. Evans watched from the press box as a healthy scratch. He was scratched three of their last four regular season games and all three playoff matches.

“I thought if I was playing I could have really helped the team,” Evans said. “They weren’t really clear with me as to why I wasn’t playing. They kind of thought I was a liability coming back to the bench.”

The Rush went on a slump midseason and the coaches made changes. Evans found himself out of the lineup.

“I didn’t agree with the decision but at the end of the day they are the coaches and they will make the calls,” said Evans, who averaged two goals per game, which is on par with his career average. “I was frustrated and upset but there was nothing I could do.”

“It’s 100% fitness with Scott,” Keenan said. “He can’t play with our team or in the NLL in my mind, in that kind of condition.” Keenan said they want him to get back in shape and they have talked about it numerous times.

“The NLL has nine teams and features over 200 of the best lacrosse players in the world and he can’t keep up being 30 or 40 pounds overweight,” said Keenan. “He’s a hard-nosed guy, he’s a gamer and I like that about him.”

Keenan said it doesn’t matter what Evans does in the summer league.

“It’s an entirely different game,” Keenan said. “There isn’t as much transition in the MSL and the teams aren’t as good. It’s basically five guys on, and then five guys off. If you can’t transition onto defence then you can’t play in the NLL.”

Evans battled back from a devastating knee injury in 2007. He’ll now have to prove himself again. Evans plans on returning to Edmonton and hasn’t requested a trade. He has one year left on his contract.

“I have more to prove in Edmonton,” Evans said. “I want to be a part of a successful season. I know they would be happy if I was in better shape and I know if I want to keep playing I need to be better.”

Evans said there are no hard feelings between him and Keenan. “We didn’t battle,” Evans said. “There are some things he doesn’t like about me and maybe there are some things I don’t like about him but it has never affected the game plan.”

Evans has a busy summer ahead but is looking forward to finding his form with the Lakers. He and his long-time girlfriend Karen will be married July 7 and between work with Hydro One, he hopes to make a run for the Mann Cup.

“You look at our lineup this year and we’re very talented,” said Evans. “I look forward to being in the lineup here every night.” Evans along with his brother Shawn, Brad Self, Cory Vitarelli, Kyle Laverty and Chris White, will not play Thursday against Brooklin, as they will be in Las Vegas for Scott’s bachelor party.